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Terminology of plant Taxonomy.pdf

This document provides terminology related to plant taxonomy. It defines and provides examples of various plant structures and their characteristics, including types of inflorescences (such as cymose and racemose), flower parts and their arrangements (bracts, sepals, petals, stamens, pistils), symmetry, number of parts, position and attachment of reproductive organs. It also describes terms for flower features like dehiscence, coherence, aestivation and more. The document aims to establish a standardized vocabulary for describing plant morphology.

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TERMINOLOGY OF PLANT TAXONOMY ANKIT MISHRA
New flower Old flower New flower Acropetal Racemose Basipetal Cymose
Cyathium A type of inflorescence characteristic of Euphorbia, in which a cup-shaped involucre, often provided with nectary, encloses a single female flower (reduced to pistil) in the centre and a number of male flowers (each reduced to a solitary stamen) around it Thyrsus A panicle-like cluster with main axis indeterminate and the lateral axes determinate; e.g., Lilacs, Verticillaster It consists of a series of nodes. At each node there is a condensed dichasial cyme with a cluster of almost sessile flowers arranged opposite one another in the axils of opposite bracts or leaves; e.g., Ocimum Hypanthodium. The fleshy receptacle forms a cup like cavity with an apical opening (ostiole) guarded by scales and bearing flowers on the inner wall of the cavity; e.g., Fig? Peepul Special types
Solitary flower. Borne singly or alone. a. Solitary terminal. Borne singly at the apex; e.g., Lily, Poppy, Paris. b. Solitary axillary. Borne singly in the axil of a leaf; e.g., Cucurbita, China rose. Poppy Cucurbita
[I] Bract and Bracteoles 1. Bract. A modified, usually reduced leaf-like structure at the base of the flower. (a) Involucral bracts. Bracts present at the base of an umbel (b) Involucels. Bracts present at the base of umbellule (secondary umbel). 2. Bracteole. Bracts occurring on secondary axis i.e. pedicel of flower. Ebracteate Bracteate/ if bracteate whether Bracteolate or not. 3. Ebracteate- Without bracts; e.g., Solanum. Bracteate- With bract, e.g., Adhatoda. Bracteolate- With bracteoles; e.g., Adhatoda. Epicalyx- Whorl of bracteoles developing at the base of the calyx, e.g., China rose.
[II] Attachment of Flower Pedicel. Stalk of an individual flower. Peduncle. The stalk of an inflorescence. 1. Sessile. Without a stalk; e.g., Adhatoda, Morus, etc. 2. Pedicellate. Having a stalk; e.g., Dianthus. Adhatoda
[III] Presence of Floral Whorls 1. Complete. A flower with four whorls of floral parts; pistil, stamens, sepals and petals; e.g., Solanum. 2. Incomplete. A flower lacking one or more of the four kinds of floral whorls sepals, petals, stamens or pistil; e.g., Euphorbia. Solanum Euphorbia
[IV] Symmetry 1. Actinomorphic. (Regular). Applied to a flower in which the parts of each whorl are similar in shape; the flower can be divided into two equal halves along more than one median longitudinal plane; e.g., Dianthus, Ipomoea, etc. 2. Zygomorphic. Term applied to a flower in which the members of some or all of the floral whorls are unequal. Most irregular flowers can be divided longitudinally into two equal halves in only one vertical plane; e.g., Pea, Adhatoda, etc. Pea Dianthus
[V] Presence of Reproductive Organs 1. Hermaphrodite. (Bisexual). A flower in which both stamens and pistils are present; e.g., China rose. 2. Unisexual. A flower having only one sex; e.g., Morus. (a) Staminate. A unisexual flower with stamens. (b) Pistillate. A unisexual flower with a pistil. Stamens Ovary
[VI] Number of Floral Parts 1. Dimerous. two-merous, the parts in two's or multiple of 2; eg". Poppy. 2. trimerous. Three-merous, the parts in three’s or multiple of 3; e.g., Argemone. 3. Tetramerous. Four-merous, the parts in four’s or multiple of 4. e.g., Mustard. 4. Pentamerous. Five-merous, the parts in five’s or multiple of 5; e.g., Solanum. Poppy. Argemone. Mustard. Solanum.
[VII] Position of Floral Organs on Thalamus 1. Hypogynous. A flower in which the ovary is superior and all other floral organs are situated below its level; e.g., Citrus 2. Perigynous. The floral organs borne and arising from around the ovary and not beneath it; e.g., Peach, Plum. 3. Epigynous. Used for a flower when the ovary is inferior and other floral organs arise above it; e.g., Coriandrum.
[VIII] Arrangement of Floral Organs 1. Acyclic. Arranged in spirals and not in whorls; e.g., Ranunculus. 2. Spirocyclic. Half cyclic; e.g., Ranunculus. 3. Cyclic. Arranged in definite whorls; e.g., Solanum. Spirocyclic Cyclic
[X] Other Special Characters If anyone of the following structure is present, it should be mentioned. 1. Anthophore. Elongated portion of thalamus between calyx and corolla; e.g., Silene saxifraga. 2. Androphore. Elongated portion of thalamus between corolla and androecium; e.g., Passion flower. 3. Gynophore. Elongated portion of thalamus between androecium and gynoecium; e.g., Cleome, Bauhinia. 4. Androgynophore. A gynophore associated with the androphore ; e.g., Cleome gynandra Bauhinia. saxifrag a Passion flower Cleome gynandra
Calyx. The outer or first whorl of flower, consisting of sepals. Sepal. One of the separate parts of a calyx, usually green and foliaceous. [I] Number of sepals Mention the number of sepals e.g., 4 sepals. [II] Cohesion Polysepalous/ Gamosepalous. 1. Polysepalous. When the sepals are free; e.g., Geranium. 2. Gamosepalous. When the sepals are fused; e.g., Dianthus. Dianthus. Geranium.
Aestivation. The arrangement of floral parts (sepals in this case) in bud. 1. Valvate. Sepals meeting by the edges without overlapping; e.g., Solanum. 2. Twisted. (Contorted). One margin of the sepal overlaps that of the next one, and the other margin is overlapped by the third one. 3. Imbricate. Out of the five sepals one is internal, one external and the other three partly internal, partly external; e.g., Iberis amara, Cleome 4. Quincuncial. A form of imbricate where there are five sepals, two internal, two external and one partly internal, partly external, e.g., Steliaria, Dianthus
COROLLA Corolla. Second whorl of flower made of petals. Petal. One of the separate parts of corolla usually coloured and more or less showy. [I] Number of Petals Mention the number of petals, e.g., 4 petals. [II] Cohesion 1. Polypetalous. When the petals are free; e.g., Mustard. 2. Gamopetalous. When the petals are united; e.g., Railway creeper, Ipomoea.
TYPES OF PETALS
Appendages of Corolla 1, Spur. A tubular or sac-like projection from a bottom, as of a petal and usually containing a nectar-secreting gland; e.g., Delphinium (Larkspur) (Fig. 30). 2. Nectary. A nectar - secreting gland, often appearing as a protuberance, scale or pit; e.g., Salvia. 3. Corona. Any appendage or extrusion that stands between the corolla and stamens, or on the corolla; e.g., Madar, Asclepias Delphinium
PERIANTH Perianth. Sometimes calyx and corolla are not distinguishable from one another and the outer whorl is thus called perianth. Tepal. One of the separate parts of perianth .. [I] Number of Tepals. Mention the number of tepals; e.g. 6 tepals [II] Number of Whorls Mention the number of whorls, e.g. 6 tepals in two whorls of three each. [III] Cohesion 1. Polytepalous. With tepals (perinath lobes) free; e.g., Phyllanthus, Polygonum. 2. Gamotepalous. With tepals (perianth lobes) fused. Chenopodium Polygonum
Types of Tepals 1. Sepaloid. Resembling a sepal; e.g., Date palm. 2. Petalold. Resembling a petal; e.g., Asphodelus. Date palm. Asphodelus.
[I] Number of Stamens Mention the number of stamens e.g., 5 stamens. If the number of stamens is more than the number of petals, then find out the number of whorls in which these are distributed- in one whorl, two or more whorls or the number is indefinite. ANDROECIUM Androecium The third or male whorl of flower; made of stamens. Stamen. An individual part of an androecium that produces pollen grains, usually composed of anther, connective and filament.
Fertility Note if all the stamens are fertile or some of these are reduced to staminodes. Staminode- A sterile stamen or a structure resembling stamen and borne in staminal part of the flowers; e.g., Stellaria.
Cohesion of Stamens 1. Polyandrous. Said of an androecium whose stamens are free (anthers as well as filaments); e.g., Papaver. 2. Monadelphous. Stamens united in one group by connation of their filaments (anthers being free); e.g., China rose, Achyranthes, Abutilon. Papaver. China rose
3. Diadelphous. Stamens united in two bundles by connation of their filaments (anthers being free); e.g., Pea. 4. Polyadelphous. Stamens united in many bundles by connation of their filaments (anthers being free); e.g., Citrus, Bombax malabarica. Pea. Citrus
5. Syngenesious Stamens connate by their anthers (the filaments being free to form a cylinder about the style, as in Compositae); e.g., Sonchus. 6. Synandrous. Stamens united throughout their whole length by both- the filaments and the anthers; e.g., Cucurbita. Sonchus Cucurbita
Adhesion of Stamens 1. Epipetalous. Stamens adhering to the corolla wholly or partially by their filaments (anthers remaining free); e.g., Ocimum, Solanum. 2. Epitepalous. Stamens adhering to the perianth in the aforesaid manner; e.g., Asphodelus. 3. Gynandrous. Stamens adhering to the carpels either throughout their whole length or by their anthers only; e.g., Calotropis. Solanum. Asphodelus. Calotropis
Sequence of StaminaI Whorls If in more than one whorl then note whether the stamens of the outer whorl alternate with the petals or, opposite i.e. obdiplostemonous. 1. Diplostemonous. With the stamens in two alternating whorls and those of the outer whorl alternate with the petals; e.g., Murraya. 2. Obdiplostemonous. With the stamens in two alternating whorls and those of the outer whorl lying opposite the petals; e.g., Geranium, Stellaria. Stellaria Murraya
Length of Filaments Whether filament is long or short, also see whether all the filaments are equal in length or didynamous (2 long and 2 short) or tetradynamous (4 long and 2 short). 1. Didynamous. Out of the four stamens two are long and two short; e.g., Ocimum. 2. Tetradynamous. Out of the six stamens four inner are long and two outer short; e.g, Mustard Ocimum. Mustard
Position of Stamens 1. Inserted. Stamens shorter than the corolla tube remaining included within it; e.g., Mussaenda, Tabemaemontana, Catharanthus. 2. Exserted. Stamens longer than the corolla tube, protruding outwards e.g., Passion flower. Mussaenda Passion flower
Number of Locules 1. Dithecous. A two celled anther; e.g., Citrus 2. Monothecous. A one-celled anther; e.g.,Phyllanthus, Ricinus, China Rose.
Attachment of Filament 1. Basifixed. (Innate). Filament attached to the base of the anther e.g., Mustard, Cassia,. 2. Adnate. Filament running the whole length of the anther from the base to the apex; e.g., Michelia, verbena. 3. Dorsifixed. Filament attached to the back of the anther; e.g., Bauhinia variegata, Citrus, Pink. 4. Versatile. Filament attached to the back of the anther at a point only, so that the latter can swing freely; e.g., Grasses, Bottle brush, Eucalyptus (Fig. 36).
Types of Connectives Connective. A patch of tissue which joins the two anther lobes. 1. Discrete- When the connective is very small or absent; e.g., Many species of Euphorbia. 2. Divaricate. When the connective develops in such a way that the two anther lobes get separated from one another; e.g., Tilia, Justicia gendarussa’. Tilia
3. Distractile. When the connective is very much elongated and placed more or less on the filament separating the sterile and fertile lobes of the anther; e.g., Salvia 4. Appendiculate. When the connective is prolonged into a feathery appendix beyond the anthers; e.g., Nerium odorum Nerium odorum Salvia
Anther dehiscence It refers to opening of anther to disperse pollen grains. 1. Longitudinal: Anther dehisces along a suture parallel to long axis of each anther lobe. Example: Datura, chinarose, cotton. 2. Transverse: Anther dehisces at right angles to the long axis of anther lobe 3. Poricidal: Anther dehisces through pores at one end of the thecae. Example: Ericaceae, Solanum, potato, brinjal, Cassia. 4. Valvular: Anther dehisces through a pore covered by a flap of tissue. Example: Lauraceae, Cinnamomum.
Direction of Dehiscence of Anther 1. Introrse. An anther dehiscing towards the centre of the flower; e.g., Dianthus, Citrus. 2. Extrorse. An anther dehiscing towards the periphery of the flower; e.g., Argemone, Poppy.
Number of Carpels 1. Simple or monocarpellary gynoecium. When the gynoecium is made up of only one carpel; e.g., Pea 2. Compound gynoecium. When the gynoecium is made up of two or more carpels. (a)Bicarpel. With two carpels; e.g., Fumaria. (b) Tricarpel. With three carpels; e.g., Stellaria. (c) Tetracarpel. With four carpels; e.g., Datura. (d) Pentacarpel. With five carpels; e.g., Melia. (e) Multicarpel. With many carpels; e.g., Papaver.
Cohesion of Carpels 1. Apocarpous. A pistil of two or more carpels which are free; e.g., Clematis 2. Syncarpous. A pistil of two or more carpels which are fused; e.g., Melia Clematis Melia
Position of Ovary 1. Superior. When the ovary occupies highest position on thalamus and stamens, petals and sepals are successively inserted below it; e.g., Citnis, Stellaria 2. Semi-inferior. When the thalamus grows around the ovary to form a cup, and bears sepals, petals, and stamens on the rim of the cup; e.g., Peach, Plum, Rose 3. Inferior. When the thalamus completely covers the ovary getting fused with it, and bears sepals, petals and stamens on the top of the ovary; e.g., Coriandrum, Mussaenda, Cucurbita, Guava Stellaria Superior Semi-inferior inferior
Handwriting
Number of Locules Locule. Chamber or compartment of ovary. 1. Unilocular. With one chamber, e.g., Stellaria 2. Bilocular. With two (J.ambers; e.g., Solanum 3. Trilocular. With three chambers; e.g., Asphodelus 4. Tetralocular. With four chambers; e.g., Ocimum
Placentation Arrangement of placentae and ovules in the ovary. Placenta. The region or area of the ovary to which ovule or ovules are attached. Ovule. The body which encloses embryo sac or female gametophyte and becomes seed after fertilization. 1. Marginal. Placentae developing along the junction of the two margins of the carpel in monocarpellary and one chambered ovary; e.g., pea 2. Axile. Placentae bearing the ovules developed from the central axis of a compound ovary, corresponding to the fused margins of carpels; e.g., Citrus, Solanum.
3. Parietal. Placentae bearing the ovules on the inner wall of the ovary and their position corresponds to the fused margins of carpels and number of placentae is equivalent to the number of carpels; the ovary is one chambered; e.g., Argemone. 4. Lamellate. The ovules are borne on plate-like lamellae within the ovary. It is a modification of parietal placentation; e.g., Papaver. 5. Free-central. The ovules are borne on a central column without any septa, the ovary is unilocular; e.g., Stellaria 6. Basal. The ovules are a few, reduced to one and are borne at the base of the ovary, the ovules when solitary often filling the cavity, the ovary is unilocular; e.g., Sonchus. 7. Superficial. Ovary is multilocular, carpels being numerous as in axile type but placenate in this case develop all round the inner surface of partition wall; e.g., Water lily
Style - More or less elongated part of gynoecium between the ovary and the stigma. Number of styles and their length is given . 1. Terminal style. A style lying in the same straight line with the ovary; e.g., China rose 2. Lateral style. A style which is seen to arise from the side of the ovary; e.g., Strawberry 3. Gynobasic style. A style arising from the depression in the centre of the ovary or directly from thalamus; e.g., Ocimum 4. Stylopodium. When the base of the style is swollen to form a pad-like structure; e.g., Coriandmm.
Stigma -Terminal part of gynoecium that receives pollen grains. 1. Capitate. Shaped like a cap; e.g., Cleome, Citnis 2. Plumose. Feather-like stigma; e.g., Grasses 3. Discoid. Disc-shaped; e.g., Melia, China rose 4. Dumb-bell shaped. Like a dumb-bell; e.g., Ipomoe ajistulosa . 5. Linear. Long and narrow. 6. Radiate hood- like. A hood-like stigma with radiating septae; e.g., Poppy . 7. Bifid. Forked into two; e.g., Ixora, Sonchus Knob-like. Shaped like a knob; e.g., Cryptostegia, Justicia, Achyranthes. 9. Lamellate. Provided with many fin like blades; e.g., Mazlis 10. Sticky. A stigma producing a sticky liquid for catching pollen grains; e.g., Cleome viscosa.